Schalke, Barca, Bayern or Real? CL Draw Friday

[brazilianGOONER]

i'm already deciding what excuses i'm going to say at work to watch the game .... any opinion, guys?

You are being sodomised by a ladyboy you picked up last night?

btw, that one is not me!!! i'm working!!!

[safcftm]

For me, this will be a very interesting game from the point of view of seeing what, if anything Arsene Wenger has learned. Last time against Barcelona he tried to play the usual Arsenal way, but being the best footballing side in the prem isnt enough against a side like them. He needs to change his approach, especially in the away leg, and it will be interesting to see if he has the tactical nous and the players to do it.

Typical that Chelsea get the fucking easy game against Copenhagen mind!

Have always considered you a genuine poster on this forum, but are you taking the the fucking piss.

you never know, he might spring a surprise. For the away leg I think he will know that he can't afford to have two up front, and this will give him an interesting decision to make with regards to his midfielders. Personally i think it has to be Song, Denilson and Fabregas in central midfield (I might well get abuse for that however!)- the wide midfielders are another interesting choice- he can't have out and out attackers on there since that would expose the full backs too much, but equally because the full backs will be pinned in the defensive third for large periods of the game, he cant have overly defensive wingers or he will end up not being able to get out.

The problem is that Theo is a good option for the counter attack purely for his pace, but he doesnt offer enough defensively and so is a liability- he could opt for Nasri as a slightly less out and out attacking winger, but Nasri is hardly someone who has a great deal of defensive awareness. You could play him on the right, but then I think it would be best not to have an attacker like Van Persie on the other side since there would need to be balance. Getting the right combination of wide midfielders will be a very interesting problem for Wenger, and I'll be interested to see how he handles it.

If he opts not to have Van Persie on the left, I'd play him up front. No point in having Chamakh imo because crosses will be few and far between and he doesnt hold the ball up well enough to impact on the game, you're better keeping it short and hoping RVP can pull something unexpected out, which he always has in his locker. With him up front though, are you left with Rosicky on the left? Choices , choices! As I say, tactically i will be very interested to see how Wenger approaches it. If he goes and tries to play the "usual Arsenal style" Barca will win comfortably, but if he mixes it up, you have the players to cause them problems

[rigsby]

One bit of hope is there away record in the CL is often slightly dodgy. They have a lot of draws. We quite simply need to win the first leg by any score.

Also injuries last year fucked are team. Hopefully we don't get any like that and we can bring something like a fit team to the Nou Camp.

In general just enjoy it, we're not the favourites so have nothing to lose.

PLUS WE CAN BOO THE FUCKERS OFF THE PITCH!

[goonersid]

For me, this will be a very interesting game from the point of view of seeing what, if anything Arsene Wenger has learned. Last time against Barcelona he tried to play the usual Arsenal way, but being the best footballing side in the prem isnt enough against a side like them. He needs to change his approach, especially in the away leg, and it will be interesting to see if he has the tactical nous and the players to do it.

Typical that Chelsea get the fucking easy game against Copenhagen mind!

Have always considered you a genuine poster on this forum, but are you taking the the fucking piss.

you never know, he might spring a surprise. For the away leg I think he will know that he can't afford to have two up front, and this will give him an interesting decision to make with regards to his midfielders. Personally i think it has to be Song, Denilson and Fabregas in central midfield (I might well get abuse for that however!)- the wide midfielders are another interesting choice- he can't have out and out attackers on there since that would expose the full backs too much, but equally because the full backs will be pinned in the defensive third for large periods of the game, he cant have overly defensive wingers or he will end up not being able to get out.

The problem is that Theo is a good option for the counter attack purely for his pace, but he doesnt offer enough defensively and so is a liability- he could opt for Nasri as a slightly less out and out attacking winger, but Nasri is hardly someone who has a great deal of defensive awareness. You could play him on the right, but then I think it would be best not to have an attacker like Van Persie on the other side since there would need to be balance. Getting the right combination of wide midfielders will be a very interesting problem for Wenger, and I'll be interested to see how he handles it.

If he opts not to have Van Persie on the left, I'd play him up front. No point in having Chamakh imo because crosses will be few and far between and he doesnt hold the ball up well enough to impact on the game, you're better keeping it short and hoping RVP can pull something unexpected out, which he always has in his locker. With him up front though, are you left with Rosicky on the left? Choices , choices! As I say, tactically i will be very interested to see how Wenger approaches it. If he goes and tries to play the "usual Arsenal style" Barca will win comfortably, but if he mixes it up, you have the players to cause them problems

All plausible, however you are forgetting one vital thing satfcm, this is Wenger we are taliking about.
He hasn't employed any kind of defensive tactic since the 2005 FA Cup final.

[I Hate Hleb]

I think this was probably the best draw we could have had. Let me explain.....

We're playing the favourites and therefore will be strong underdogs; none of us are really expecting to win, so the feeling of disappointment if/when it happens won't be as bad; similarly, an early elimination to the probable eventual winners will not be as painful as beating them and then losing to someone else; an early exit will also allow us to concentrate on the domestic competitions.

If one wanted to be positive/delusional, they could point to the fact that we don't play them for another 2 months and that will

a) allow time for Wenger to strengthen (I know, but still one can hope );

b) Barca will hopefully not be in as good form as they currently are now;

c) As they will go on a winter break, by the time of the game Barca might still be a little under-cooked in terms of getting back to their best form and might therefore be more vulnerable;

d) Sagna only misses the home leg and we will have him and hopefully TV back for the away leg.

e) Barca might have a couple of their key players injured (say Messi, Xavi and Villa) and unlike last season we could have our strongest team available ( again, one can only hope)

So, although I fear and expect elimination, in football you just never, ever know.

[M-50]

I think this was probably the best draw we could have had. Let me explain.....

We're playing the favourites and therefore will be strong underdogs; none of us are really expecting to win, so the feeling of disappointment if/when it happens won't be as bad; similarly, an early elimination to the probable eventual winners will not be as painful as beating them and then losing to someone else; an early exit will also allow us to concentrate on the domestic competitions.

If one wanted to be positive/delusional, they could point to the fact that we don't play them for another 2 months and that will

a) allow time for Wenger to strengthen (I know, but still one can hope );

b) Barca will hopefully not be in as good form as they currently are now;

c) As they will go on a winter break, by the time of the game Barca might still be a little under-cooked in terms of getting back to their best form and might therefore be more vulnerable;

d) Sagna only misses the home leg and we will have him and hopefully TV back for the away leg.

e) Barca might have a couple of their key players injured (say Messi, Xavi and Villa) and unlike last season we could have our strongest team available ( again, one can only hope)

So, although I fear and expect elimination, in football you just never, ever know.

[goonersid]

I think this was probably the best draw we could have had. Let me explain.....

We're playing the favourites and therefore will be strong underdogs; none of us are really expecting to win, so the feeling of disappointment if/when it happens won't be as bad; similarly, an early elimination to the probable eventual winners will not be as painful as beating them and then losing to someone else; an early exit will also allow us to concentrate on the domestic competitions.

If one wanted to be positive/delusional, they could point to the fact that we don't play them for another 2 months and that will

a) allow time for Wenger to strengthen (I know, but still one can hope );

b) Barca will hopefully not be in as good form as they currently are now;

c) As they will go on a winter break, by the time of the game Barca might still be a little under-cooked in terms of getting back to their best form and might therefore be more vulnerable;

d) Sagna only misses the home leg and we will have him and hopefully TV back for the away leg.

e) Barca might have a couple of their key players injured (say Messi, Xavi and Villa) and unlike last season we could have our strongest team available ( again, one can only hope)

So, although I fear and expect elimination, in football you just never, ever know.

So you've progressed from pot to lsd hlebby.

[Boomer]

Ah!

This thread no-longer sticky but it's a floater.

[topgoon]

For me, this will be a very interesting game from the point of view of seeing what, if anything Arsene Wenger has learned. Last time against Barcelona he tried to play the usual Arsenal way, but being the best footballing side in the prem isnt enough against a side like them. He needs to change his approach, especially in the away leg, and it will be interesting to see if he has the tactical nous and the players to do it.

Typical that Chelsea get the fucking easy game against Copenhagen mind!

Have always considered you a genuine poster on this forum, but are you taking the the fucking piss.

you never know, he might spring a surprise. For the away leg I think he will know that he can't afford to have two up front, and this will give him an interesting decision to make with regards to his midfielders. Personally i think it has to be Song, Denilson and Fabregas in central midfield (I might well get abuse for that however!)- the wide midfielders are another interesting choice- he can't have out and out attackers on there since that would expose the full backs too much, but equally because the full backs will be pinned in the defensive third for large periods of the game, he cant have overly defensive wingers or he will end up not being able to get out.

The problem is that Theo is a good option for the counter attack purely for his pace, but he doesnt offer enough defensively and so is a liability- he could opt for Nasri as a slightly less out and out attacking winger, but Nasri is hardly someone who has a great deal of defensive awareness. You could play him on the right, but then I think it would be best not to have an attacker like Van Persie on the other side since there would need to be balance. Getting the right combination of wide midfielders will be a very interesting problem for Wenger, and I'll be interested to see how he handles it.

If he opts not to have Van Persie on the left, I'd play him up front. No point in having Chamakh imo because crosses will be few and far between and he doesnt hold the ball up well enough to impact on the game, you're better keeping it short and hoping RVP can pull something unexpected out, which he always has in his locker. With him up front though, are you left with Rosicky on the left? Choices , choices! As I say, tactically i will be very interested to see how Wenger approaches it. If he goes and tries to play the "usual Arsenal style" Barca will win comfortably, but if he mixes it up, you have the players to cause them problems

He won't, we'll lose.

I can honestly say I could care less about this game.

We should be playing Roma. There is no point in going further in it only to lose and badly to the actual top teams in Europe. Shame we didn't come last in the group because we all know we won't win it and the only reason the club are probably well chuffed that Barca are going to ***** all over us(AGAIN) is because we'll make the most from TV revenue and some more 1st knockout stage champs league money.

I will go, I will watch and I will expect nothing and I will not be disappointed.

If we win this tie I will do a full frontal and back for my 1'000th post.....No fear you lot......neither will happen

[safcftm]

All plausible, however you are forgetting one vital thing satfcm, this is Wenger we are taliking about.
He hasn't employed any kind of defensive tactic since the 2005 FA Cup final.

A very fair point, but then we all know that Wenger has a bit of an overconfidence in his side's pure footballing ability, which I think leads to him not wanting to go defensive even against Chelsea and Manchester United etc, regardless of previous encounters with them he always feels that his sides style of play can win out. It might (and it is a big might admittedly) be different this time out in Barcelona- he obviously respects their style of play and he probably isn't as confident that his side can "out football" them after he had a go at it last time and saw the result. He will know that on paper they are stronger pretty much right the way through the side (if I was Barca I wouldn't even play Fabregas from the start in many games tbh) and I suppose I am hopeful that this might just make him admit that this once he needs to change his tactics a bit.

Of course, he might well continue to be blinkered and think that his side can out pass, out move and out perform one of the best club sides of all time and this is what makes it interesting. If he goes to the Nou Camp, tries to play his normal game, and Arsenal get knocked out, I will then firmly think that his time has passed, his "project" is destined to fail and he needs to go. His seeming inability to see that he needs a keeper and to sort out the centre of his defence is already a bad sign, but if he is so stubborn as to not even change tactics when the game absolutely demands it, then he really is of no use to the club and has simply passed his sell by date

[HashKads]

I know this is a long shot, but can anyone guarantee me 2 tickets? I am open to offers for what ever you want in return, and I mean ANYTHING

[A dallying Gus Caesar]

Game over.

A dreadful draw, but the battering could lead to Wenger finally waking up, doubt it, or realising it is time to call it a day.

Sorry, but it is probably the first time that we have effectively been knocked out of a tournament by a draw before a ball has even been kicked.

We would have given our eye teeth for Real now!

I should be really excited about playing them but I cannot sun up any enthusiasm for this one. As you say it's a dreadful draw and one I think I'll watch at home and save some money....

I hate to be so negative Tel but the fact is they will tear us to shreads. I won't be going. If I want to watch a ritual slaughter I will pop down the the West Country next Summer.

We are crap and I would rather be a realistic than be in denial.

[brazilianGOONER]

For me, this will be a very interesting game from the point of view of seeing what, if anything Arsene Wenger has learned. Last time against Barcelona he tried to play the usual Arsenal way, but being the best footballing side in the prem isnt enough against a side like them. He needs to change his approach, especially in the away leg, and it will be interesting to see if he has the tactical nous and the players to do it.

Typical that Chelsea get the fucking easy game against Copenhagen mind!

Have always considered you a genuine poster on this forum, but are you taking the the fucking piss.

you never know, he might spring a surprise. For the away leg I think he will know that he can't afford to have two up front, and this will give him an interesting decision to make with regards to his midfielders. Personally i think it has to be Song, Denilson and Fabregas in central midfield (I might well get abuse for that however!)- the wide midfielders are another interesting choice- he can't have out and out attackers on there since that would expose the full backs too much, but equally because the full backs will be pinned in the defensive third for large periods of the game, he cant have overly defensive wingers or he will end up not being able to get out.

The problem is that Theo is a good option for the counter attack purely for his pace, but he doesnt offer enough defensively and so is a liability- he could opt for Nasri as a slightly less out and out attacking winger, but Nasri is hardly someone who has a great deal of defensive awareness. You could play him on the right, but then I think it would be best not to have an attacker like Van Persie on the other side since there would need to be balance. Getting the right combination of wide midfielders will be a very interesting problem for Wenger, and I'll be interested to see how he handles it.

If he opts not to have Van Persie on the left, I'd play him up front. No point in having Chamakh imo because crosses will be few and far between and he doesnt hold the ball up well enough to impact on the game, you're better keeping it short and hoping RVP can pull something unexpected out, which he always has in his locker. With him up front though, are you left with Rosicky on the left? Choices , choices! As I say, tactically i will be very interested to see how Wenger approaches it. If he goes and tries to play the "usual Arsenal style" Barca will win comfortably, but if he mixes it up, you have the players to cause them problems

high quality post as usual, mate.

you understand the arsenal and its players a lot better than a good number of gooners i know. well played, mate.

[goonersid]

All plausible, however you are forgetting one vital thing satfcm, this is Wenger we are taliking about.
He hasn't employed any kind of defensive tactic since the 2005 FA Cup final.

A very fair point, but then we all know that Wenger has a bit of an overconfidence in his side's pure footballing ability, which I think leads to him not wanting to go defensive even against Chelsea and Manchester United etc, regardless of previous encounters with them he always feels that his sides style of play can win out. It might (and it is a big might admittedly) be different this time out in Barcelona- he obviously respects their style of play and he probably isn't as confident that his side can "out football" them after he had a go at it last time and saw the result. He will know that on paper they are stronger pretty much right the way through the side (if I was Barca I wouldn't even play Fabregas from the start in many games tbh) and I suppose I am hopeful that this might just make him admit that this once he needs to change his tactics a bit.

Of course, he might well continue to be blinkered and think that his side can out pass, out move and out perform one of the best club sides of all time and this is what makes it interesting. If he goes to the Nou Camp, tries to play his normal game, and Arsenal get knocked out, I will then firmly think that his time has passed, his "project" is destined to fail and he needs to go. His seeming inability to see that he needs a keeper and to sort out the centre of his defence is already a bad sign, but if he is so stubborn as to not even change tactics when the game absolutely demands it, then he really is of no use to the club and has simply passed his sell by date

Again all fair points, the problem is we will be at home first, so we will probably be chasing the tie when we go to barca.

[Iceman29]

Just booked my flights! Not looking forward to it. The bitter pill will need to be swallowed. Hopefully its not all over during the first leg only